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I have a court order for child support in PA. Ex is currently over $50K in arrears. A bench warrant was issued long ago, but I can't get anyone to enforce it. Bench warrant is issued out of County A. Deadbeat lives and works in County B. County A says they can't get County B to cooperate. I called County B personally and several LEOs tell me that they are too busy dealing with "real crime" and don't have the manpower and resources to pick deadbeat up. Okay, I can understand that. But that doesn't really help me or my child. Deadbeat is working under the table. I know exactly where he's working. Can I pay a state trooper or police officer out of my own personal pocket to pick the deadbeat dad up and take him back to County A on the bench warrant?

Citicop

09-28-10, 11:22 AM

No, you can't pay an off duty officer to make the arrest.

But in my state, I can leave my jurisdiction to arrest someone wanted for a crime that was committed in my town.

Why doesn't someone from your county just go arrest him? That happens here all the time.

-Citicop.

ISLE123

09-28-10, 11:38 AM

I guess because this isn't a criminal bench warrant; it's a bench warrant for unpaid child support. ?????? I'm not entirely sure. That's why I'm here. County A (who doesn't do a whole lot and took 2 years of non payment before they'd even issue a bench warrant) tells me that they have to deputize service to an officer of the court in County B in order to enforce the warrant. When I called the chief of police in County B where defendant is located, he told me they were too busy, didn't have the time and didn't have the resources. That's why I had hoped I could pay someone out of pocket just to get this guy picked up.

Citicop

09-28-10, 11:44 AM

That makes no sense to me. Nonsupport is a felony here if he's behind 6 out of the last 12 months. Have you tried contacting the prosecutor of your county or the court that issued the warrant? Have you tried contacting your state police or highway patrol to see if THEY can send someone to go get him? I bet if you explained to a trooper how much trouble you're having, they'd be happy to help you out.

ISLE123

09-28-10, 11:50 AM

Makes no sense to me either!!!!!! Believe me. I'm the single parent trying to survive in this economy. I've spent countless hours fighting with Domestics to just simply do their jobs. Like I said, it took two years of non payment just to get them to issue the bench warrant!!!!! Domestics is considered separate from Court of Common Pleas here in this county, so they're of very little help. I will definitely try contacting the DA and the state police. I might have more luck there. Thanks for the suggestions!

Blackgoat06

09-28-10, 12:40 PM

In 4 years of LE in PA I've never been asked to serve a child support warrant nor has one come up when running someone.

I almost want to say County A is passing the buck. I see no reason they cant go to county B and serve it.

GoDirectly2Jail

09-28-10, 01:05 PM

Why don't you tell us what county and state you are talking about? It's not like you are going to get in trouble for specifying, and it would help us give you more accurate information.

retdetsgt

09-28-10, 01:59 PM

That makes no sense to me. Nonsupport is a felony here if he's behind 6 out of the last 12 months.

Same here. Child support warrants are issued out of circuit court which in Oregon, handles all felonies and domestic matters. It would come up anytime someone is ran for warrants. The S.O. routinely gets these warrants and makes attempts to serve them ASAP or notify the county where the person resides.

ISLE123

09-28-10, 03:55 PM

In 4 years of LE in PA I've never been asked to serve a child support warrant nor has one come up when running someone.

I almost want to say County A is passing the buck. I see no reason they cant go to county B and serve it.

Well yeah, they've been passing the buck for years. But what can I do about it????? And just to clarify because you mention "serve it." This would be to arrest the deadbeat and bring him back to County A. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

ISLE123

09-28-10, 03:56 PM

Why don't you tell us what county and state you are talking about? It's not like you are going to get in trouble for specifying, and it would help us give you more accurate information.

County A is Chester County, PA. County B is Philadelphia County, PA. I don't know why that would make a diffference though.

ISLE123

09-28-10, 04:01 PM

Same here. Child support warrants are issued out of circuit court which in Oregon, handles all felonies and domestic matters. It would come up anytime someone is ran for warrants. The S.O. routinely gets these warrants and makes attempts to serve them ASAP or notify the county where the person resides.

I wish PA were so effecient as Oregon. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way here in PA because it's a domestic bench warrant; not a criminal warrant. At least that's what they tell me; it's not in the same "system." Also, they say that because it's in a different "system" not all counties have it or will show it. In other words, even if he's stopped for say a traffic violation in Philadelphia County, they may not necessarily see that he's got an open bench warrant in Chester County for the nonpayment of child support. Now I've got friends all over the US and no one else has experienced the issues I've struggled with her trying to enforce what's supposed to be the law. So that's why I've come here trying to get some advice. I'm about at my wits end and yes, have totally gotten the run around with domestic relations.

retdetsgt

09-28-10, 04:38 PM

From what Greg, a PA cop says, PA sounds like a nightmare in a lot LE areas.

Blackgoat06

09-28-10, 05:29 PM

Well yeah, they've been passing the buck for years. But what can I do about it????? And just to clarify because you mention "serve it." This would be to arrest the deadbeat and bring him back to County A. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Calling the DA may be a good idea. You can try the state police but I highly doubt they will do anything with it. As you seem to already know those warrants are through domestic relations and to my knowledge there is no crime for nonpayment of child support in the state of PA.

And yes as for serving it, that includes taking him into custody.

EDIT* I was wrong in my earlier post I have had people come back with domestic relations warrants which is normally child support so the police probably COULD take him into custody, but it is not a criminal charge, we are simply middlemen.

mcsap

09-28-10, 07:50 PM

Find a PA State Constable. They have statewide authority to serve warrants. Jump over to PoliceWorld.net (http://www.policeworld.net) and go to the constable forum. There are a lot of PA constables on that site.

Legoate

09-29-10, 07:54 AM

I'm still not sure why you think having him arrested will get him to pay you child support. The two have nothing to do with one another. In fact, he can truly state that he has no ability to pay you while in custody because he is unable to work due to being arrested.

Just a guess but it's probably not the first time he has ever spent some time in jail.

ISLE123

09-29-10, 09:46 AM

I'm still not sure why you think having him arrested will get him to pay you child support. The two have nothing to do with one another. In fact, he can truly state that he has no ability to pay you while in custody because he is unable to work due to being arrested.

Just a guess but it's probably not the first time he has ever spent some time in jail.

I never said or even insinuated that having him arrested will get him to pay child support. At over $50K in arrears, I am realistic enough to know that I will never see that money. I've managed this long without the child support,a nd will continue to do so in the future. At this point it's about justice, the law and accountability. He's NEVER been to jail and has quickly learned that the PA system doesn't do all that much to enforce or touch him. So for me it's about justice at this point.

retdetsgt

09-29-10, 09:50 AM

So for me it's about justice at this point.

I don't blame you. People that don't pay their child support need to suffer some consequences. Even if it doesn't make him pay the support, he needs to cool his heels.

ISLE123

09-29-10, 09:54 AM

I don't blame you. People that don't pay their child support need to suffer some consequences. Even if it doesn't make him pay the support, he needs to cool his heels.

Exactly; and he'll get the "reminder" that he's not above the law. Thanks for your help and your suggestions! I appreciate it very much!